Sister of Mercy Madeleva Comiskey wore ‘many ministry hats’

In her more than 80 years with the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Madeleva Comiskey took on many roles, including home economics instructor and department head at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha during the 1950s and ‘60s.

Over the years and in locations throughout the western half of the country, Sister Madeleva was a teacher for students in grade school through college, a school principal, a business manager for the Sisters of Mercy, a pastoral care coordinator and chief executive officer at a retirement center, a manager and administrative assistant for housing communities and a grant writer.

“Sister Madeleva was called upon to wear many ministry hats, and she wore them well,” the Sisters of Mercy said in a written tribute.

Sister Madeleva died Feb. 4 in Omaha. She was 98.

A funeral Mass was March 2 at the Fogelstrom Chapel at Immanuel Courtyard in Omaha. Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery in Omaha.

Sister Madeleva was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the fifth child of Joe and Teresa (Doohan) Comiskey. They gave her the name Gertrude.

She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Omaha in 1942 and professed final vows in 1948.

Sister Madeleva had said that each of her ministries had been “challenging and satisfying,” helping her grow as a Sister of Mercy.

She had a gentle, kind smile, her community said, and lived her religious motto: “All for Thee, Sweet Jesus.”

Sister Madeleva was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and three sisters. Survivors include the Sisters of Mercy and her nieces and nephews.